A former member

You can camp at the trailhead of MMI, etc but if it gets windy you'll eat a lot of sand. The Lost Springs walkout you only want to do to finish your day on MMI &/or Lost n Found. Its much longer to go out that way than up the slabs. If you do walk out Lost Springs as you follow Fish (?) Canyon to its head be looking for lots and lots of lithic sites. We found them all along that walk out a couple of years ago. On Winter Camp Slot DO NOT throw your rope unseen into that canyon. Have the 1st person down carry it on their harness. Once you are down in there look up at the chockstone, from slightly down-canyon and you will see the rope bag we got stuck there this past New Years by throwing the rope into a slot we could not see the configuration of.

Thanks for the input, Doug. Maybe we'll see if we can bag some booty. Our general practice is not to throw the rope bag. We throw the end of the rope down and put on a contingency block. Then, the first person down will signal to get lowered or once at the bottom to raise the rope so that the end is off the ground. That way, the rope unwinds after people rappel (we tend to use Figure 8 devices like the Pirana and Totem). The last person down carries the bag and sets up the pull. However, for Winter Slot, we'll just leave the rope and come get it later since there's just the one rappel.

Hallie: I sent you a private message, but haven't seen a response from you. I'd like to know your background and skill set before descending a canyon with you.

I have descended canyons and/or climbed with the 3 others who will be there. I'm know and am comfortable with them as partners and they with me.

In Zion I've done Subway (via Russell Gulch), Mystery, Pine Creek, Keyhole, Birch Hollow, and Orderville. In Arches I've done Tierdrop, U-Turn, and Undercover (AKA Lost and Found). I've scouted and then descended 4 canyons in our area off the Rio Grande in NM, which we have setup for Canyoneering, building all the anchors (natural and in one we bolted it too). These we've named Pajarito Gorge, River Beach, Breaker Box, and Chavez Canyon.

Canyoneering Karma exists to serve; to help you learn, practice and hone technical canyoneering skills; to meet other canyoneers; and of course to have fun exploring canyons. Events include informal get togethers, canyoneering trips, national and international canyon rendezvous, workshops and practice sessions, as well as technical canyoneering courses from beginner to advanced.

Canyoneering Karma is open to everyone, whether or not you have received any formal training, and regardless of where you may have received it. Ours is a big tent. We believe that bringing people together is good for the sport. It brings people into the community; encourages sharing of ideas, information and techniques; and improves safety and ethics.

Adventure Travel & Volunteer Service Projects

Would you like to join Rich Carlson on his next adventure to Nepal? Southeast Asia? Latin America? Trips will be posted here on the Canyoneering Karma meetup group. Each trip will provide you with opportunities to:

• serve others in need

• participate in technical rappelling, rigging and rescue training

• enjoy uncommon adventures in exotic places

• experience new cultures

Rich is an adventure travel addict and technical rescue, rigging and rappelling instructor. Since 1990 he has trained thousands of adventurers, professional guides and rescue teams across the Americas and around the world. Now retired from guiding, Rich invests the majority of his time on volunteer service projects. His mission is to assist with economic development and enhance quality of life for individuals and communities around the world through the provision of training for canyoneers, canyon guides and canyon rescue teams. Rich is especially interested in serving underprivileged youth and unemployed adults in Native American communities and in developing countries. For qualifying groups, he will provide training, assist with the establishment and promotion of a youth service program, canyon guide program and/or canyon rescue program, as well as help with the acquisition of gear.

You are invited to join us. Travel with us. Train with us. Help us help others.

Formerly ACA-Canyoneering, our meetup group now operates independently of the ACA.